What’s in Your Treasury?
By
Gerry Niskern
Everyone is concerned that their Christmas won’t be good this year. They want to be with their closest loved ones and Covid 19 is keeping that from happening.
Yes, it is, but most people have a treasure trove of memories that they can dig down into. If they try hard, they can find bits and pieces of wonderful Christmases past. I think it can carry them thru this frustrating time, if they try.
I’ll share some of mine. How about you?
The snow flakes were hitting against the windshield and fanning out in swirling perfect circles. I had never seen them put on that display before, but then I had never been allowed to sit up front between my mom and dad before either. You see, I had on a little green fairy costume instead of my warm snow suit so they decided I needed to sit up by them and the heater. We were on our way to our little country school and I was going to be in the first grade Christmas program. The snow was coming down hard, but the show must go on! I’ll never forget those magical snowflakes!
Mom and dad both grew up in families that didn’t have the luxury of Santa Claus. My mother was one of thirteen children and Christmas in that Orthodox Catholic family consisted of church services in the morning AND the afternoon. The adults sat on benches on the front and the children stood in the back. That was followed by a special Christmas dinner.
My dad’s mother raised eight children on her own and had no money for Santa either.
So when my sister and I came along, my parents loved going all out for our celebration. They put up a big tree after we went to bed and decorated it then. We always thought Santa brought it! They made sure Santa left lot of presents under that tree too. One special memory that I recall was a small Cedar chest that my dad gave my mom, and it was filled with chocolates! Then he surprised each of us with a miniature version of Mom’s chest, full of chocolates too. Somehow, that gift, exactly like our mother’s made me feel very special, a good incentive for little girls.
The frozen snow always crunched like popcorn as we hurried up the sidewalk to the sagging, old kitchen porch at my grandma;s house. The sound of love and laughter pulled us in. Of course, we didn’t expect present at that Christmas on January 6th, but there was something much better; a house full of cousins!
How about you? Can you dredge up some good times to carry you thru this year?
What a beautiful memory ! I do have many years of memories of wonderful Christmas’s past i can bring up. My dad would set up the house with lights to photograph us getting our bounty of gifts . My Nana and Gaga would be there watching us with smiles . Great memories I cherish always .
Hi Christina thanks for your comments always.
One of many great Xmas memories I have, would have to be music-related, of course.
You know how some kids just can’t resist taking a peek under the obviously loosely wrapped corner of a gift under the tree with their name on it? Well, when I was twelve my favorite sister had bought me a record LP of my favorite guitar player, Jimi Hendrix. I recall that I somehow knew she was giving me this, so it wasn’t a matter of wondering WHAT it was there under the tree, but rather what it SOUNDED like!
I was weak and I succumbed. When I had the chance, I carefully unwrapped the record and played it all the way through – and it was a double-album. Then I wrapped it back up and put it back under the tree.
Still an all-time favorite album for me. I think the peek added to the mystique, but interestingly when I hear the songs or even just picture the album cover, it immediately reminds me of everything else about that Christmas and others during my childhood – the aromas and tastes of all the great food and goodies, our Xmas lights, relatives gathering, and so on. Merry Xmas confession!
That is funny. I just got around to reading some replies and this was a revelation!!!!!!! So, have you ever told your sister?!
So wonderful to feel the connection to these memories!
I am glad you enjoyed them.
Yes! Gerry! Thank you, for remembering, “A Special. Christmas,”, that Jogs. My. Memory!!! Your articles, Are A. Pleasant Part of my. WEEK! Thank you, for sharing your, God given. Talent!!!
just read this…thanks for your comment